Happy 90th birthday Irmarie Jones

We are now fewer than 30 days from the beginning of spring. Soon, the ground will begin to thaw — though it’s difficult to believe right now — and temperatures will warm as birds begin to sing again.

On March 16, we’ll see the Full Worm Moon, which was named by Native Americans because the ground softened in March and earthworm castings reappeared, also signaling the return of robins.

The Full Worm Moon is the last full moon of the winter. It is also called the Full Crow Moon for the cawing of the crows at the beginning of spring, and the Full Sap Moon, because sap begins to flow this time of year, eventually leading to that deliciously sweet treat we call “maple syrup.”

Did you know that Native American full moon names were created to help different tribes track the seasons?

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the full moon names it uses come from the Algonquin tribes, which lived in regions from New England to Lake Superior. Most of the names were adopted by Colonial Americans and are applied to the entire lunar month in which they occur.

Also, if our precipitation prognosticator Farrah Pomeroy is correct, we have only two more snowfalls to go this winter. She predicted 21 just before winter and she told me she has kept track and counted 19.

“Just two more to go,” she told me Thursday.

We certainly hope so, Farrah. Thanks for keeping in touch.

Would you all please let me know when and where you begin seeing the first signs of spring? Thanks!

BERNARDSTON KIWANIS will hold its Chicken Pie Supper on Saturday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the United Church of Bernardston, 58 Church St. There will be continuous seating.

The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Call 413-648-9306 for reservations. You may also purchase advanced tickets through Kiwanis members, if you know any.

I’D LIKE TO SEND A HEARTFELT “happy 90th birthday” to my predecessor in this column, Irmarie Jones. Irm spent many years bringing you “Just Plain Neighbors,” and I knew I had big shoes to fill when I decided to take over. I spent many years sitting next to her in the newsroom and learned a lot from her.

I’m told Irm will be in the Elm Terrace Community Room on Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. to receive your birthday wishes. Try to get over there, even if just for a few minutes. I know she’d love to see you.

NORTHFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT will hold its annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Northfield Elementary School cafeteria.

Pancakes will be made from the Quinn family’s recipe and will be smothered in real maple syrup from Northfield. They will be served with sausage.

The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under.

Proceeds will be used to purchase new equipment for the fire department.

Here’s a great chance to get out and visit with family, friends and neighbors and enjoy a delicious breakfast at the same time.

UNITY SKATEPARK COMMITTEE is getting ready for its art exhibition in late April and is looking for artists of all types, including paint, paper, photography, sculpture and more, to create original art on or with skateboard decks.

The committee would love to recycle old decks, and so is encouraging up-cycled ones be donated.

That’s where you come in — artists need skateboard decks, so please drop yours off at Madison on the Avenue, 102 Ave. A in Turners Falls or call 413-863-9296 and someone will pick yours up.

Also, artists must register no later than March 28 with Diana Pedrosa at: dproma@hotmail.com. You will need to provide your name, phone number and a general description of your work, including size.

Exhibition details will follow in a future column.

To contact Anita Fritz, a staff reporter at The Recorder, send an email to: franklincountyneighbors@gmail.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 280. You can also reach Anita on Facebook at Anita’s Neighbors. Information to be included in Neighbors may also be sent to: neighbors@recorder.com up to noon two days before you want it to run.